The Royals have lost five of their last seven games. The four runs scored marked their most in a nine-inning loss since scoring the same total July 14 against the Johnson City Cardinals.

“It’s baseball,” third baseman Manny Olloque said. “You win some and lose some and that’s the way it goes. Next game try to do better.”

The Royals chipped away with two runs in the sixth after designated hitter Brian Fletcher put the ball in play for the first time in five plate appearances in his second game of a rehabilitation assignment from Class AAA Omaha. Fletcher’s single was followed by run-scoring doubles from Josh Banuelos and Jose Martinez.

Martinez drove in Burlington’s first run with a second-inning sacrifice fly.

Center fielder Lane Adams’ final scheduled rehab outing with Burlington ended after the eighth inning, when he fouled a ball off his calf before a flyout. He doubled in the third inning and walked twice in a 1-for-3 outing.

“I felt like the swing was all right,” said Adams, who rejoins Class AA Northwest Arkansas today after going a combined 5-for-10 with four walks in three Burlington games. “I swung at good pitches. The wrist held up pretty well.”

Fletcher, who’ll begin the upcoming road trip with the Burlington team, worked in a walk among three strikeouts. He said he his ankle has responded well, while he’s aiming to return to a groove after nearly three months out of action.

“It’s fine, good just having the opportunity to see some pitches,” Fletcher said. “Make sure I get my timing back.”

After tonight’s off day on the league schedule, the Royals play their next eight games on the road and 10 of their next 11 away from home.

Page 2 of 2 - â–ª The Royals learned earlier in the day that shortstop Marten Gasparini indeed has a broken nose from taking a throw off the face last week. Gasparini, a 17-year-old from Italy, said heÂ’s leaning toward having surgery to avoid future complications, but heÂ’ll consult more with doctors and his parents. Surgery would put him out of action for an undetermined amount of time.

â–ª Minor League Baseball president Pat OÂ’Conner visited several Burlington locations and attended Tuesday nightÂ’s game with Appalachian League president Lee Landers. (More on OÂ’ConnerÂ’s visit in ThursdayÂ’s Times-News.)